The Maid

Chapter 6: A step towards trust

Maya sat in her room, the soft hum of the estate's life drifting through the open window. She could hear the faint rustle of the breeze as it stirred the leaves, and the distant clink of dishes in the kitchen where Vic was likely wrapping up dinner preparations. The tranquility of the night was at odds with the storm brewing inside her.

Her mind kept replaying the scene from the garden—the way Carina's eyes had softened when she spoke, the unspoken warmth that radiated from her every gesture. Maya had tried to brush it off as simple kindness, just the way someone as poised as Carina would naturally treat others. But deep down, she knew there was more to it. Something in the way Carina had looked at her felt personal, intimate. It was as if Carina could see past the protective barriers Maya had spent years building, straight into the heart of her fears and insecurities.

The thought unsettled her. Maya had never allowed herself to get close to anyone—not since the day she was thrown out of her home. Trust was a luxury she couldn't afford, and love... love was a danger she wasn't sure she would survive.

With a shaky breath, Maya reached for her diary, the one thing that had been her constant companion through the years. She flipped it open, her pen hovering above the page as her thoughts swirled in chaotic confusion. Finally, she began to write, each word an admission she wasn't ready to say aloud.

I don't know what's happening to me. She's kind, and that's dangerous. I can't let myself believe this is anything more than it is. People like her don't fall for people like me—not really. I've seen what happens when I trust, when I think I matter. I'm left with nothing. So why does she look at me like that? Like I'm someone worth seeing?

Her hand paused, her mind racing faster than she could keep up. She swallowed hard and forced herself to continue.

The way she looked at me tonight... it felt like she was seeing all the things I've tried to hide for so long. But what if she sees everything and doesn't like what she finds? I don't know if I can handle that. But I also don't know if I can handle this distance anymore.

She let the pen drop, her heart hammering in her chest as if the simple act of putting her feelings on paper had made them more real. It was terrifying—how much she wanted Carina to see her, and at the same time, how much she feared what that would mean.

A knock on the door startled her, and Maya quickly snapped the diary shut. Vic's familiar face peeked around the doorframe, her warm smile instantly easing some of the tension in Maya's chest.

"Hey, mind if I come in?" Vic asked, her tone light but carrying a hint of curiosity.

Maya nodded, grateful for the distraction. Vic had been a breath of fresh air since she'd arrived at the estate, her friendship offering a sense of stability Maya hadn't realized she craved.

Vic sauntered in, sitting at the edge of Maya's bed and glancing around the room. "You've been quiet lately. Well, quieter than usual" she said with a teasing grin. "Everything okay?"

Maya shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. It wasn't like her to open up, even with Vic. But something about the way Vic looked at her—with no judgment, only understanding—made it harder to keep everything bottled up.

"I don't know" Maya admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "It's Carina."

Vic's eyebrows shot up, but she didn't seem surprised. "Ah, so the boss lady's been on your mind, huh?"

Maya shot her a look, but there was no malice in it. "It's not like that" she mumbled, though even she wasn't sure if that was true.

Vic crossed her arms, leaning back slightly as she studied Maya. "You're not good at lying, you know. So, what's going on with you two?"